Side loading hearse mechanism



y 26, 1942- o. a BENCH ETAL 2,284,116

SIDE LOADING HEARSE MECHANISM Filed April 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I'Ili'rr-El PaieniedMay 26, 1942 v UITED STATES I SIDE LOADING 11mins]: mcnnnrsM 1 Application April 14, 1941, Serial No. 388,506

15 Claims. (01. 214-ss) This invention relates to a hearse ofthe side delivery type wherein a mechanism is provided for supporting a casket within the hearse and for rotating the support in a manner to alter its position from a longitudinal position within the hearse to a transverse position. In order to alter the position of a casket within a hearse from longitudinal to transverse with respect the body, considerable space requirement is normally, required as well as the provision ofa rather wide opening through which the table supporting the casket can be moved.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism which will alter the position of the casket supporting table with a minimum space requirement and with a minimum door opening.

It is another object of the invention to rotate the supporting table simultaneously with longitudinal movement thereof in a manner that the rotation bears a definite relation to the 1ongitu-' rotating the table bears a definite speed ratio to the gear mechanism for longitudinally moving the table so that the concomitant longitudinal movement and rotation alters the position, of the supporting table to one transversely of the hearse and extends the same therefrom.

It is another objectof the invention to provide a gear mechanism. for rotating a casket supporting table within a hearse and a lead screw and cooperating nut mechanism for longitudinally moving the supporting table wherein the gear mechanism is driven by and synchronized with the lead screw mechanism for producing a predetermined path of travel of the supporting table.

It is another obiect of the invention to provide a common prime mover which is reversible in its driving motion for changing the direction of motion of the table. v

It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical control mechanism for starting the operation of the table support mechanism and for selecting the direction of rotation of the table .to determine the side of the hearse throug which itwill extend. i v

Furtherobjects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings'and the following description. a

y In thedrawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the body of a hearse showing the normal position of the supporting table for the casket.

. Figure 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view, partially in cross-section, of the drive mechanism for rotating the support table concomitant with longitudinal movement thereof and includes an electrical diagram of the control for the support.

Figure'B .is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line"3 3 of Figure 4 showing the lead screw nut and the driving gears carried thereby in elevation. 1

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of Figure 3., V

Figure 5 isva cross-sectional view taken along line 55-ofFigure 3. I

Figure 61s a perspective cross-sectional view taken along line 66' of Figure 5 showing the clutching mechanism'between the worm wheel and the pinion of the drive gears.

Figure 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective elevational view of a modified form of drive mechanism for the support table.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 88 of Figure 7. I

Figure 9 is a perspective elevational'view of the transmission for changing thedirection of rotation of the turret rotating mechanism in the reverse position irom that disclosed in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the body of a hearse showing the mechanism actuated by the doors thereof for shifting the transmission.

The hearse upon which this invention is to be used is of the type commonly known as the side delivery type. In a hearse of this general type the casket is normally carried within the body of the hearse in a longitudinal position, and when the casket is to be placed into the hearse" or removed therefrom, the supporting table for the casket is moved into a position which is transverse with respect the hearsebody in a manner that a portion of the table extends from the side of the hearse. To permit the hearse body to be constructed as small'as possible it is essential that the sweep of the path through which'the'casket supporting table passes when changing from longitudinal to transverse posi-.

4| provided inthe bracket 30, which is closed by a plate 42. Theend of the lead screw carried in tion shall be restricted as much as possible. It v is also convenient to'reduce the open ng in the are pivoted to the body at l4 and respectively. 7

Two side entrance doors l6 and H- -pivotally-carried by the body at l8 and H are provided .for

the driverof the vehicle to enter andleave thedriver's seat 20. To gain-as much 'lon'giutdinal length as possible within the body of therhears'e' the drivers seatifl is constructed and-arranged, l.

to be moved into the dotted line position shown in Figure 1. p t

Within the body of thehearse I6 there is providediai casket supporting table 21 which is; suitably? carried upon the floor 23 of l the hearse by means of a plurality of rollers ZZ suitably secured tQtheunder side of the supporting. tabl eg'cl; The

Irollers Hare free to pivot uponiayerticalaxis so that the table 2 [is permitted relativelyfreemoyement upon the floor 23 of thehearse. t

A pivot post 24 is secured. to the under side of the support tabl'e '21gbyjcmeansjoffaflangemember ziwhieh integral with a cylindrical body portionllilv Thebod'y portion 26 extendsdownwardly through-allongitudinal' slot'fl' provided in the'flcor 23 or the hearse andicarries a. circular flange 28 'upon the end thereof; An internal gear 29' is carried upon the flange 28 in, anyisuitable manner and is arranged coaxial with the. body 16. The pivot. post 24 is providediwith a gear mechanism associated therewith, forlrotating the 'post about its. axis throughthe internal gear 29 and is also provided witha lead sc'rew nut which is engaged by a lead screwlfor moi/ting thepost screw and the gear mechanism are driven in synchronis'm' so that longitudinal'gniovement "of; the I post 24 be accompaniedjwith concomitant rotation wherebymhe turret-tablet 21. will be moved longitudinally within'lthe hearse accompanied by concomitant "rotationJ- This arrangement pro- ,vides means for ,extending the forward end of -the turret tabledl through the side wallof the hearse for access tothe table, g V

The lead screwvnut and. the gear'mechanism for actuating the'post 24 comprisean assembly supported from thelower side of the floor 23 of the-hearse; assembly consists ot a bracket member BU Having a flanged portion'3l secured to the floor- 2 3 by means of the bolts 32. The bracket 36 also consi'stsof 'a horizontally disposed wall 33 which isspaeed from'the floor23' of the hearse andeis'adapted to form the lower half of a lead screw nut. The upper half of the lead screw nut secured to thelwalll33. .Acentralbore 35Iextends between the walls 33Yfand34- and isl suitably threaded .toreceive al'ea'd screw 36; One end of ;-the lead-screw 36 islcarried .by. a bearing bracket the ball bearing 46 is provided with a collar 43 whichacts as a thrust member against the ball bearing when the lead screw is rotated for moving the casket platform longitudinally within the hearse. A similar thrust bearing is preferably provided in the bearing bracket '31 to take up thrust in a direction opposite to the bearing 46.

A worm wheel 44 is carried upon the forward end of the lead screw 36 and is engaged by a worm 45-drivenby an electric motor 46. The electric motor 46 is ,of-the-reversible type so that the lead screw 36 may be driven in either direction of ro- .tation' through the interconnecting worm and worm wheel; Suitable electrical mechanism hereinafter described is provided for reversing the current flow'through the electric motor 46.

.5 The upper wall 34 of the lead screw nut designated 13S 56 is provided with a vertical post 41 which is secured to the wall 34 many suitable mamf er. A central bore 5| is'provided within the body- 26* of the pivot post 24 through which the postfilektends; -'Recesses 52 and 53 are provided in'the upper and lower portions'respectively of the" body 26 in which there are positioned the ball bearings 49"arid respectively. The post 41 issuitably journaled within the'ballbearings 48 and '49" and carries a collar 54 upon the upper end thereof which'rests upon the ball bearing 49.

This bearing 49 thus provides a thrust bearing for the post 4T and the mechanism carried thereby. The mechanism thus far described provides means formoving the pivot post 24 longitudi- "2 4 longitudinally within the; slot-.21.? The' lead nally withinjth'e slot 2 whenever the lead screw 36 is rotated in one direction or the other depending upon the position of the table 2 [within thehearse'; i

provide a mechanism for rotating-the pivot post 24' concomitant withlongitudinal movement thereof agworm 55 is journaled upon the lead .scre w 36 andis positioned Within an internal opening. 55' provided within the lead screw nut 150;which: openinggiiiiscoaxial withvthe lead screw '36; Worm wheels 51 and 58 are journaled upon stub shafts 59 and 66 respectively, which shafts are carried bythe lower wall 33 of the lead screw nut150; A clutch mechanism to be hereinafter described is interpositioned between each of the worm wheels51 and,58 and its axle stud 59 or 60'. The worm wheels 51 and 58 are both in engagement with the worm-'56 carried upon the lead screw 36 so that upon rotation of the lead screw 36 the worm 56 will drive the worm wheels 51 and 53 in opposite directions of rotation.

To permitthe worm 56 tomove longitudinally I uponthelead screw .36 while being driven there- 60 it t t screw nut 50 with respect the lead screw 66. consists of a wall. member 34 which is suitably 31Lpositionedtoward the forward-tend. of the hearse and is prevented from shifting longitudinallyof thefhe'arse by. meansof the collars 38 -which-are suitablyllsecured to the-lead screw 36.

the end ofthe lead screw extending through the bearing 3-9.and being supported by aballbearing 40. The ball bearing 40 is carried within a recess bya key-way is provided therein within which a suitable key 62 carried by the worm 56 is adapted to slide upon longitudinal movement of the lead 60a. The pinions 63 and 64 are freely rotatable upon their respective axle shafts 59'and 60 until engaged by a clutch mechanism hereinafter described.) The pinions 63 and 64 are in constant engagement with the internal gear 29 carried by I the pivot post 24 so that either of the pinions can drive the pivotpost 24 for rotation thereof depending upon the engagement of its cooperating'clutch mechanism.

The clutch mechanism between the worm wheels 51' and 58 and, the pinions 63 and 64, shown toga better advantage in the enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 6, and since both of the mechanisms are identical only one is shown and described. The wall 33 of the lead screw nut 56 is provided with an internal bore 65 within which there is positioned a sleeve 66 carrying a pin 61 which extends radially toward the center of the sleeve 66. A second sleeve 68 is positioned within the sleeve 66 and is j ournaled upon the axle or stub shaft 59. An arcuate slot 76 is provided in the sleeve 68 into which the pin 6'! extends. A second slot 'II is provided in the sleeve 68 and is vertically positioned therein to receive a pin 12 which extends from the stub shaft 59. The sleeve. 66 is provided with teeth 73 in the outer periphery thereof and is engaged by a rack I4 for rotating the sleeve 66 with respect the sleeve 68.

A sleeve I5 is journaled upon the stub or axle shaft 59 and is provided with a plurality of splines 76. The sleeve i5 is supported upon the sleeve 66 by means ofthe splines 16 so that when the sleeve 66 is rotated by means of the rack 14 the cooperation of the pin 61 with the slot Ill moves the sleeve 66 upwardly carrying the sleeve I5. The Worm wheel 51 is providedwith' a splined internal bore '38 adapted to be engaged by the splines I6 of the sleeve 75 when the sleeve I5 is moved upwardly by means of the sleeve 66-.

The normal position of the clutch mechanism for de-clutching the. worm; wheel 51 from the pinion 63 is as shown in Figure 6 so that the worm wheel 51 can rotate freely without causing rotation of the pinion 63;

As heretofore mentioned each of the worm wheels 51 and 58 are provided withthe clutching mechanism which is described, the, clutching mechanism 51a. of the worm wheel 51. being actuated by the rack 14-while the clutching mechanism 58a forthe worm wheel 58 is actuated by the rack 140,. The racks I4 and 14a are interconnected by means of a yoke 19 so that actua tion of one of the racks actuates both whereby tie-clutching of one of the clutch mechanisms causes clutching of the opposite mechanism.

The racks I4 and 14a are actuated by means and 84a engage detents 85 and 85a in the racks l4 andl ta respectively.

The electrical system for controlling actuation of the heretofore described apparatus consists of the electric motor 46 driving the worm 45 for rotating the worm wheel 44 which in turn actuates'the screw 36. Rotation of the screw 36 causes the mechanism to function in a manner which will be hereinafter described.

The electrical controls consist of limit switches 86 and 81 one of which is positioned adjacent each end of the slot 21 in the floor 23 of the hearse a'nd is adapted to be engaged by the pivot post 24 when the same approaches the ends of the slot 21 whereby energization of the electric circuit to the electric motor 46 is controlled. The limit switch 86 deenergizes the electric motor 46 when the pivot post 24 has moved to its rearward'position, which position is indicated in Figure 1. The limit switch 81 deenergizes the electric motor 46 when the pivot post 24 is moved in its forward position representing the full ex-' trolling the outward movement of the table-2|, while the push button switches 98.are connected in parallel and control the inward movement of the table ZI. The electric motor 46 is of the reversible type and is shown in the electrical diagram of Figure 2. The direction of flow of current to the armature is always in the same direction while the flow of current to the field is re versed in order to obtain forward and reverse rotation of the screw 36 for moving the table 2| in or out of the hearse body Ill. The electric circuit for the motor 46 is energized from the battery 99 of the hearse. The limit switches 86 and 87 are normally closed unless engaged by the pivot post 24 so that the circuitshown in Figure 2 has the switch 86 in the open position representing the retracted position of the table 2I as of bellcrank levers 80 and 86a respectively which are pivotally carried upon the pivot supports 8! and Ma. The pivot supports 8! and 81a are secured to the under side of the floor 23 in any suitable manner as by the bolts 82 and 82a. The

lever 86 is provided with an actuating arm or;

rod 83 which is connected to or actuated by the side door I2 of the hearse. The lever 86a is rovided with an actuatingarm orrod 83a. which 83 has been moved by the .door I2 which is now closed while the lever 860. has been actuated by the door I9 to pivot the same about its-pivot support 8 la to actuate the rack I4. Figure 5 thus shows the position of the actuating arms 86 and 86a, one of which is in position with the door closed and the other is in position with the door open.

. To retain the racks I4 and 74a in position upon actuation thereof spring pressed balls 64 When the doors I2 and I3 are both shown in' Figure 1. The' push button switches 91 and 98 are of themomentary contacting type in order to energize the coil or 9| for closing the relay 92 which is provided with a holding circuit represented by the contact blade 93. The

relay 92, as shown in Figure 2, is in the normal deenergized position and is retainedin this posi- 'tion by means of the compression springs I60 which oppose each other to balance the position of the armatures .8 8 and 89 within their respective actuating coils90 and SI.

As will be seen from the former description the lead screw 36 and the worm 55 are driven by a common prime mover, the'electric motor 46 and thus the driving ratio between longitudinal movement of the pivot post 24 and rotational movement thereof can be preedetermined to providea definite increment of rotation of the pivot post 24 for. each increment offorward travel' extendsithe table. from one side orthe otherof the'hearse body'in accordance withthe predetermined direction ofrotation for the rotating operating clutching mechanism 58a in orderto raise the splined sleeve 15 whereby the worm Wheel 58 isplaced in driving engagement with the pinion'64. The push button 91 positioned 7 moved in a rearward direction and concomitantly rotated to retract the table 2| with the same motion provided for its forward advancement.

In Figures 7 to 10. inclusive there isshown a modified; form ofapparatus for producing the same typeof motion as produced by the apparatus heretofore described. The essential elements of adjacent the door I3 is actuatedto engage its cooperating contacts to close circuit to the coil 99 for actuating the armature 88 and thereby' pull the relay 92 in an upwardly direction to close circuit through the upperset of contacts for each of the blades 93, 94, 95 and'96. The blade 93 provides a holding circuit for the coil 99 so that when the push button 91 is released-the coil 90 will not become deenergized. The blades.

94, 95 and 96 control the direction of: flow of current to the armature and the field of the ele c'-" tric motor 46 so that the screw 36. is'rotated in the proper direction for advancing the table forward and outwardly of the hearse I9.

Sincethe clutch 58a. drivingly connects the worm wheel 58- withthe pinion rotation of the lead screw 36 also rotates the worm 55 for rotating the worm wheel 58. The pinion 64 being inconstant engagement with the internal gear 69 secured to the pivot post 24 will rotate the pivot post simultaneously with the forward advancement of the post by means of the lead screw 36. Since the driving ratio has been established between the lead screw 36; and the gearingmech anism for rotatin' 'thepivot post 24, the post 24 will be rotated a predetermined angular increment for each increment of forward motionthereof whereby the table2I is'moved forwardly and concomitantly rotated to advance and extend the same from the hearse body I0. When the pivot post 24 approaches theforward end of the slot 21 it will engage the limit switch 81 to open the circuit to the coil 90 whereby the relay 92 is z deenergized and the mechanism thus halted in its operation. I

When the table 2I is to be returnedto within thebody of the hearse the pushbutton switch 98' isjactuated' toclose circuit through its coope r ating contacts whereby circuit will be .made

the mechanisms are identical in that a lead screw isusedto produce longitudinal motion of the piv- 7 ot postwhile a worm and worm wheel arrangement is-provided for producing rotative motion of the pivot post. The lead screw and the worm are driven from a common prime mover, the worm obtainin its power from the lead screw and the two elements are driven in a predetermined speed ratio which produces predetermined 'rotativeincrement of the pivot post for each increment of longitudinal movement thereof.

In this arrangement the pivot post IIII carries a worm wheel III which is rotated by means 01 a worm II'2 carried upon a feed rod H3. The feed rod II3 has a key slot II4 adapted to engage a suitablekey in the worm I2 to permit the same longitudinal movement. along the feed rod II3 ,while'being' rotated thereby. 1

The pivot post IIIl .hasa depending portion -H5 whichextends below the worm wheel III and carriesan enlarged head H6. The head H6 is adapted to be positionedwithin a recess II'I provided in the lead screw nut I I8. A cover plate I I9 engages the upper surface of the head H6 and retains the same in cooperating engagement with the lead screw nut I I8. h

The feed rod I I3'which carries the worm I I2 is bearinged in a bracket I carried upon the lead screw nut I I8. A lead screw I is in threaded engagement with the lead screw nut I I8 through -a suitable, threaded bore I2I provided longitudinally in the lead screw nut H8. The lead screw I25 "carries a worm wheel I22 suitably secured thereto which is drivingly engaged by a worm I23;

which worm I23 is secured upon the shaft of an electric motor I24.

The electric motor I24 is of the reversible type to drive the lead screw I25 in either direction of rotation according to the movement desired for the casket supporting table 2L.

Y In'order to rotate. thepivotpost IIiI whilelongitudinally moving the-same withinfthe slot 21 in the floor 23 of. the hearseagear train is provided between the leadscrew, I25. and the feed rod H3. The gear trainthus. provides means for trans mitting power-from the electric motor I24 to the feed rod I -I.3 so that a common prime mover is usedfor driving the lead screw'I25 and the feed V V v V rod 143i: The gear train, is also adapted to functhrough the coil 9I since the limit switch-'86 is 7 now in the closed position. The armature 89 will I be moved in a downwardly dire ction to closethe blades93, 94, 95 and 96 upon the cooperating lower sets of contacts. .Theblade 93 provides a hold;

ing circuit fonthe c011 19Iwhile theblade 9,4,

as and as energize the electric motor 45, When the relay blades are in the lower positionithe direction} of. flow to'the armature to theelectric motor 46 is retained in thesamedirectiomas when the blades are in their upper position; However,

thedirection of flow of current to the field of the motor 46 is reversed to the direction of flow from when the blades are in their upper position. 7'

The lead screw 36. will thus be driven in an opposite direction of rotation vfrom that previously described whereby the pivot post 24. will be tion as means for reversing the directionof ro-' tation of the'feed rod I,I3,,with respect the lead screw. .I25 so t hat. the pivot post 9 can be rotated in either. direction of rotation forv extending the table. gtthrough the desired side ofthe hearseIIL V Theo-gear train consists. of. the spur gears I29 and I21 'carried upon theelead, screw I25 and -'-i s interpositioned between the gears I2'I and I29 in. order to reverse thedirection of rotation of the predetermined to obtain rotation of the pivot post I V I win predetermined increments for-each increrod I I3 rotatably drives the worm I I2 to cause rotation of the pivot post I ID, the power for such drive being obtained either through the gears I26 and I28 or the gears I21, I3I and I29. If the,

gears I26 and I28 are in meshing relationship as shown in Figure 7 the direction of rotation of the if the pivot post H9 is to be advanced toward the forward end of the hearse.

In order to return the casket table 2I to within the hearse the directionof rotation of the motor I24 is reversed in a manner heretofore referred to by the description of the electrical diagram shown in Figure 2.

A mechanism is provided for automatically selecting the direction of rotation of the pivot post H9 in accordance with which of the doors l2 or I3 is opened, thereby determining the side of the hearse through which the table 2| will extend. This mechanism consists of a shifting fork I32 which engages an under-cut portion I33 provided in the sleeve I36. The fork I32 is pivotally carrying a pin I36.

A pair of rods I31 and I39 extend transversely of the hearse I0 and are suitably carried in the bearing supports I39 andI49 respectively. Collars MI and I42 are provided on the rods I31 and I38 respectively and have compression springs I43 and I44 respectively positioned between the collars I4! and I42and their cooperating bearing posts I39 and I46 respectively.

The rod I31 engages the door I2 whileithe rod I38 engages the door I3 so'that upon opening of either of the doors the corresponding rod will be moved outwardly by its actuating spring. The inner ends of the rods I31 and I33 are provided with slots I45 and I46 respectively through which the pin I36 extends. The device, as shown in Figure 10, has been actuated by the door I3 to shift the gears I28 and I29 to one of their positions. If the door I3 is again opened there will be no actuation of the pinion I36 or the fork I32 since the slot I46 will permit movement of the rod I38 without engaging the pin I36. sult is obtained since the mechanism is arranged that once it has been shifted it will not move until the mechanism has been shifted in the opposite direction by the opening of the other door. Thus the arrangement of the device of Figure 10 is such that if the door I2 is opened the rod I31 will be actuated by the spring I43 whereby'the slot I45 engaging the pin I36 will cause the arm I35 to rotate the fork I32 and thus shift the sleeve I38.

Since the worm H2 is geared directly to the screw I the speed of operation thereof can be .40 mounted at I34 and has an extending arm I ment 1 of longitudinal travel thereof with respect the hearse body whereby a, predetermined path of travel for the casket table 2| created.

Having thus fully describe d our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- r 1. In a side loading-hearse, means; fpr sup I porting a casket, a pivot post for said support, a lead screw nut and a gear means carried by said post, gear means in engagement with said gearmeans carried by said post for rotating said post, a lead screw in engagement with said nut for moving said post longitudinally of said hearse,

gear means engagement with said lead screw, clutch means disposed between said firstmentioned gear means and said-lastmentioned- ;gear means, means for actuatingsaid clutch means to interconnect said aforementioned gear means, and power means for rotating said lead screw to move said casket support longitudinally of the hearse and simultaneously rotate said pivot post ata predetermined speed ratio to position said casket support transversely of the hearse.

2. In a sideloading hearse, means for support-' ing a casket, a pivot post for said support, a lead screw nut and afgear meanscarried by saidpost, gear means in engagement with said gear means carried by said post for rotating said post; a lead screw in engagement with said nut for moving said post longitudinally of said hearse, gear means in engagement with said lead screw, clutch means disposed between said first mentioned'gear means and said last mentioned gear means, means for actuating said-clutch means tointerconnect said aforementioned "gear means, and

power means for rotating said lead'screw to move said casket support longitudinally of the hearse and simultaneously rotate said pivot'pcstf at a predetermined speed ratio to. rotate said support a determinedangular increment for cachin- This re- 3 crement of longitudinal travel thereof-for placing-said casket support transversely of the hearse at a predetermined longitudinal'position thereof.

, 3. In a side loading hearse, means for supporting a casket, a'pivot post for saidsupport, longitudinally extending screw means operatively associated with said post for longitudinally moving the same, and gear means operatively associated with said screw means and said post for rotating said post in a determined ratio to the longitudinal movement thereof for placing said casket support transversely of the hearse at a predetermined longitudinal position thereof. 7 4: In a hearse, a table, means providing a pivotal axis for said table, a lead screw engaging said-means for moving th same longitudinally of the hearse,- gear means engaging said means for rotating the same, power means for driving said lead screw, and means-interposed between means for selecting the directionof rotation of, 7

said pivotal means.

6 In aihearse,atablefmeans providing a pivotal axis for said table,a lead screwp en aging .said means for moving the same longitudinally of the'hearsa gear means engaging saidmeans for rotating the same; a-common power means at speeds having a predetermined ratio, whereby said gear means rotates said axis a determined angular increment for eachincrement of longitudinal travel thereof, and means actuated by m driving said lead screw and said gear-means the opening of' one of thedoors of thejhearse o'r'lselecting the direction, of rotation of said V [In a hearse, a table, meansproviding a pivotal axis for said table, a lead screw engaging saidineans {or moving the same longitudinally of the hearse, gear means engaging said means for rotating the same, a-coinmon power means for opposite rotation, pinion gear gmeans disposed uponeach of said last mentioned gear means and in engagement with said gear means on said post, and clutch means disposed between said pinion gear means and the gear means supporting same for controlling the driving engagementof said piniongear means with said lead screw; f

"12. In a side delivery hearse, a table having a pivot'post, a lead screw nut and gear'means carried by said post, a lead screw in operative engagement with said nut, gear means carried by said nut for drivingly engaging said first ford'riving said lead screw and said gear means at" speeds having a predetermined ratio," whereby said; gear means rotates said axis a determined 7 angular increment for each incremento'f vlongitudinal-travel thereof, means actuated bythe f opening-of one ofgthe doorsfof the hearse for selecting the direction of rotation of saidfaxis,

and means for reversingthe motion of 'the'power means for-reversing the motion of 'said axis.

8. In a hearse of the. side delivery type, a

table a pivot post for said table, agear means and a leadscrew nut carried by said post, a lead hearse/for operating said clutch means.

'- mentioned' gear means, said last mentioned gear gear means carried by each of said last menscrewengagingsaid nut, power means for driving said lead screw, a pair of oppositely rotatable gear means for transmitting power from said lead screw to said gear means on said post for rotating said post concomitant with longitudinal movement thereof bymeans of said lead screw, and gear means disposed between'said oppositely rotatable gear means and said gear means on said post for seleetingthe direction of rotation l of saidpost. i i V ,7 9. In a hearseofthe side delivery type, atable,

a pivot post-for said table; a gear means and a leadserewnut carried.- by said post, a-lead screw engaging said nut, power means 'ferdriving said "lead screw, and gear means' for transmitting power from'said lead-screw to said gear means on said nut for rotating said post concomitant tioned gear means which drivingly engages said gear'carried by said post, and clutch means disposed between said pinion 'gear means and the gear means supporting same for drivingly connecting said pinion gear means with th gear means supporting same, and means for selectively actuating said clutch means to select the direction of rotation of said post.

14. In a hearse of the side delivery type means for supporting a casket having a pivot post, a lead screw, nut and gear means carried by said post, a lead screw in engagement with said nut, gear means in driving engagement with said gear carried by said post, a feed, rod drivingly engaging said last mentioned gear means, and gear means drivingly interconnecting'said lead with longitudinal movement thereofby means of I said lead screw said g'ear means providingthe means for s'electingthe directionof rotation of said post, said power means being reversible to reversel-y drivesaidlead screw;

10. In a hearse, a. table havingrmeans providinga pivotal axis, a lead screw engaging said means for moving the table longitudinally of the hearse, a pair of gearfme'a'ns driven by said lead screw and saidfeed' rodfor driving the same concomitantly, said last mentioned gear means providing a shiftable transmission for drivingly rotating said feed rod in either direction of rotationwith respect said lead screw.

15. In a hearse of the side. delivery type means for supporting a 'casket havin a pivot post, a lead screw nut and gear means carriedjby said post, a lead screw in engagement with said nut, gear means infdriving engagement with said gear carried by. said post, a feed rod drivingly screw for oppositely rotating said axis means,

and means for shifting the driving connection from said lead screw'to one or the other or said gear meansfor determining the direction of rotation of said axis. 1

11. In a side delivery hearse, a table having a pivot post, a'lead screw nut and gear means carriedbysaid post, a lead screw inoperative engagement with said nut, power means for said screw; gear means disposed adjacent opposite sides of said screw and in'engagement therewith engaging said last mentioned gear means, gear means drivingly interconnecting said lead screw and saidi feed rod; for driving the same concomitantly, said last mentioned gear means providing a shiftable transmission ,f or drivingly rotating said feed rod in either direction of rotation with respect said lead screw, and means actuated by opening. of a door of the hearse for shifting said transmission.

DAVID E. BENCH. i e A. CROSBY.

GEORGE J. WINTERMUTE'. 

